Holster for handgun such as for example a pistol or a revolver

ABSTRACT

The invention concerns a holster ( 10 ) for a handgun ( 1 ), of the type comprising a pocket ( 11 ) for accommodating the gun ( 1 ) and including an opening ( 12 ) for inserting the gun ( 1 ) and means for locking the gun inside said pocket ( 11 ). The means for locking the gun comprise a support element ( 20 ) bearing a housing ( 23 ) for receiving the trigger guard of the gun ( 1 ) provided with a locking member moveable by a push button ( 30 ) from the upper part of the pocket ( 11 ) perpendicularly to the lower surface of the barrel of the gun ( 1 ), between an active position triggered in a catch arranged on the inner surface below the barrel to immobilize the gun ( 1 ) and a retracted position releasing said gun ( 1 ).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a belt, thigh or shoulder holster for a hand weapon, such as, for example, a pistol or a revolver.

Holsters for hand weapons, and in particular belt holsters must comply with several requirements which are most often contradictory.

First of all, this type of holster must allow ease of use, that is to say, it must allow the weapon to be rapidly withdrawn from the holster and must have all safeguards, that is to say, must not allow the weapon to be withdrawn unintentionally, either by its own weight or by a third party who is seeking to take the weapon from the person carrying it.

Holsters are generally formed by a pocket which is intended for accommodating the weapon and which comprises, at the upper portion thereof, an opening for inserting the weapon. This pocket is provided, at least at one of the sides thereof, with means for fixing to a receiving member carried by the user. In the case of a belt holster, these fixing means are constituted by a loop which supports this pocket and, in the case of a shoulder holster, by a harness which is connected to the pocket.

In the case of tactical carrying, the pocket is supported by a fixing system which is constituted by a plate and/or a strap.

The butt of the weapon is arranged outside the pocket and the weapon is retained by a security lug, one end of which is fixedly joined to the pocket and the other end of which is fixed to the pocket by means of a fastening member, such as, for example, a pressing member or a snap-fitting member.

This type of holster has disadvantages relating mainly to the fact that the security lug can open in an untimely manner when the carrier moves and this lug can also be opened under the action of a third party, which allows this person to remove the weapon from the holster.

Furthermore, this security lug inhibits the weapon from being replaced in the holster after it has intentionally been withdrawn.

Holsters are also known which comprise a pocket which is intended for accommodating the weapon and which is provided, at the upper portion thereof, with an opening for inserting the weapon and, at the rear portion thereof, with a balancing member for supporting this weapon which can be successively moved vertically between an upper position and a lower position and, by means of pivoting, between a position retracted inside the pocket in which the weapon is blocked in an upper position against a fixed clamp which is fixedly joined to this pocket and a deployed position outside the pocket in which the weapon is released from the clamp.

This type of holster is complex to implement and use and even if it prevents a third party from removing the weapon from the pocket, it does not have all the indispensable safeguards and in particular does not allow the weapon to be readily reinserted since the balancing member may return to a retracted position with a simple pushing action before the weapon is reinserted.

The object of the invention is to provide a holster for a hand weapon which is simple to implement and use and which has all the necessary safeguards.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention therefore relates to a holster for a hand weapon, such as, for example, a pistol or a revolver, comprising a butt, a trigger guard and a barrel which is provided at the lower face thereof with a series of transverse notches for fixing an accessory, the holster comprising a pocket for accommodating the weapon, comprising:

-   -   at the upper portion thereof, an opening for inserting the         weapon,     -   at least at one of the sides thereof, means for fixing to a         receiving member carried by a user, and     -   means for blocking the weapon in the pocket,

characterised in that the means for blocking the weapon comprise a support element which comprises a housing for receiving the trigger guard of the weapon, provided with a locking member which can be moved by a push-button from the upper portion of the pocket perpendicularly relative to the lower face of the barrel between an active position in which it is engaged in a notch in order to immobilise the weapon and a retracted position which releases the weapon.

According to other features of the invention:

-   -   the pocket comprises, at the upper portion thereof, a tongue         which can be moved between a first position located above the         pocket in order to block the weapon and a second retracted         position which releases this weapon,     -   in the second position, the tongue is tilted towards the front         of the pocket,     -   the tongue comprises a first end which is pivotably mounted on         one side of the pocket and a second end which is provided with a         member for snap-fitting to a lug fixed to the other side of the         pocket,     -   the tongue is associated with a resilient member for returning         the tongue to the second position,     -   the support element is formed by a body for fixing the pocket         and is provided, at the upper portion thereof, with vertical and         parallel lugs which together provide the housing, the body and         the lugs comprising means for guiding the push-button and the         locking member,     -   the push-button can be moved in a direction which is         substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the frame         of the weapon placed in the pocket and comprises, on the one         hand, a first plate which extends parallel with the lugs of the         support element and a second plate which extends perpendicularly         relative to the lugs and which is provided, at the lower portion         thereof, with means for moving the locking member,     -   the first plate comprises, at the upper portion thereof, a         continuation which opens above the support element and which is         provided with a button,     -   the push-button can be moved between an upper rest position         which releases the locking member in the active position thereof         and a lower active position which retains the locking member in         the retracted position thereof,     -   the locking member is formed by a catch which comprises, at a         first end, at least one member which is intended to co-operate         with a notch of the lower face below the barrel of the weapon in         the active position of the catch and, at a second end, movement         means which complement the movement means carried by the         push-button,     -   the movement means are formed by ramp-like members which have a         complementary inclination and which are carried by the second         plate of the push-button and the second end of the catch,         respectively, and     -   the guiding means are formed by grooves having a shape which         complements the plates of the push-button and the catch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the invention will be appreciated from the following description, given purely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic, perspective view of a holster according to the invention, with a hand weapon blocked in the holster,

FIG. 2 is a partially broken-away schematic, perspective view of the holster, illustrating a portion of the means for blocking the weapon,

FIG. 3 is a schematic, perspective view of the element for supporting the weapon in the holster,

FIG. 4 is a schematic, perspective view of the means for blocking the weapon in the active position,

FIG. 5 is a schematic, perspective view of the means for blocking the weapon in the retracted position, and

FIG. 6 is a partially broken-away schematic, perspective view of the holster, with the weapon being removed.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a holster which is generally designated 10 for a hand weapon 1, such as, for example, a pistol or a revolver.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The holster 10 can be used as a belt, thigh or shoulder holster and it comprises a pocket which is generally designated 11 and which forms a housing for the weapon 1 and which comprises, at the upper portion thereof, an opening 12 for introducing this weapon 1.

In conventional manner, the weapon 1 comprises in particular a butt 1 a, a trigger guard 1 b (FIGS. 1 and 2) and a barrel 1 c which is provided, at the lower face thereof, with a series of notches 1 d (FIGS. 4 and 5) which are intended for fixing an accessory, such as, for example, an aim assistance system, a night vision system or an illumination system.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the pocket 11 is provided with means for fixing to a receiving member which is carried by a user.

In this instance, the holster is a belt holster and the fixing means are constituted by a loop 2 which supports the pocket 11.

The pocket 11 is formed at two sides 11 a and 11 b, respectively, and comprises a front wall which connects the sides 11 a and 11 b. These sides 11 a and 11 b and the front wall 11 c define a housing for receiving the weapon 1.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the pocket 11 comprises, at the upper portion thereof, a tongue 15, a first end 15 a of which is mounted on the side 11 a of the pocket 11 and a second end 15 b of which is provided with a snap-fitting member, such as, for example, a push-button which is not illustrated, on a lug 18 which is fixed to the opposite side 11 b of the pocket 11.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the first end 15 a of the tongue 15 is pivotably mounted on a shaft 16 which is fixed to the side 11 a of the pocket 11. In this manner, the tongue can be moved, after the end 15 b of this tongue 15 is unlocked, between a first position located above the pocket 11, as illustrated with solid lines in FIG. 1, in order to block the weapon and a second position tilted towards the front of this pocket 11, as illustrated with dot-dash lines in this FIG. 1.

A resilient member 17, such as, for example, a torsion spring, is mounted on the shaft 16 in order to return the tongue 15 to the second position tilted towards the front of the pocket 11.

In addition to this tongue 15, the pocket 11 is provided with means for blocking the weapon 1 which comprise a support element which is generally designated 20 and which is illustrated in particular in FIGS. 1 to 3.

This support element 20 is formed by a body 21 to which the sides 11 a and 11 b of the pocket 11 are fixed. The body 21 is provided, at the upper portion thereof, with two vertical and parallel lugs 22 a and 22 b, respectively, which together provide a housing 23 which is intended to receive the trigger guard 1 b of the weapon 1, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The means for blocking the weapon 1 in the pocket 11 also comprise a locking member 40 (FIGS. 4 to 6) and a push-button 30 which is intended to move the locking member 40, as will be seen below.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, the push-button 30 comprises a first plate 31 which extends parallel with the lugs 22 a and 22 b of the support element 20 and a second plate 32 which extends perpendicularly relative to the lugs 22 a and 22 b and the first plate 31. This second plate 32 is provided, at the lower portion thereof, with means 33 for moving the locking member 40 perpendicularly relative to the lower face of the barrel 1 c of the weapon 1 between an active position engaged in a notch 1 d (FIG. 4) in order to immobilise the weapon 1 and a retracted position (FIG. 5) which releases the weapon 1.

The first plate 31 of the push-button 30 is provided, at the upper portion thereof, with a continuation 31 a which opens above the support element 20 and which is provided with a button 31 b. In this manner, the button 31 b of the push-button 30 is accessible from the upper portion of the pocket 11 in order to move the push-button 30 in a direction substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the barrel 1 c of the weapon 1 placed in the pocket 11 in order to move the locking member 40 between the two positions.

To this end, the support element 20 is provided with means for guiding the push-button 30. These guiding means illustrated in FIG. 3 are formed by a first groove 25 which is provided in the lug 22 b and in the body 21 of the support element 20 for the first plate 31 of the push-button 30 and by a second groove 26 which is provided in the body 21 and which extends perpendicularly relative to the first groove 26 in order to guide the second plate 32 of the push-button 30.

In this manner, the push-button 30 can be moved between an upper rest position which releases the locking member 40 in the active position thereof and a lower active position which retains the locking member in the retracted position thereof.

The push-button 30 is retained in the upper position thereof by means of a resilient member 35 (FIG. 4) such as, for example, a compression spring which is arranged between the lower edge of the first branch 31 of this push-button 30 and the base of the groove 26 of the body 21 of the support element 20 (FIG. 3).

The locking member 40 illustrated in particular in FIGS. 4 and 5 is formed by a catch 41 which comprises, at a first end, at least one member 42 which is intended to cooperate with a notch 1 d of the barrel 1 c of the weapon 1.

In the embodiment illustrated in the Figures, the catch 41 comprises two mutually parallel members 42. This catch 41 comprises, at a second end, movement means 43 which complement the movement means 33 carried by the push-button 30.

The movement means 33 carried by the second branch 32 of the push-button 30 are formed by at least one ramp-like member 34 and, preferably, by two ramp-like members 34 and the movement means 43 carried by the catch 41 are formed by at least one ramp-like member 44 and, preferably, by two ramp-like members 44 having an inclination which complements the ramp-like members 34 of the push-button 30.

The locking member 40 is returned to the active position thereof illustrated in FIG. 4 by a resilient member 45, such as, for example, a compression spring.

The means for guiding the locking member 40 during the movement thereof between the two positions are constituted by a groove 27 which is provided in the body 21 of the support element 20, this groove 27 extending perpendicularly relative to the guiding groove 26 of the second branch 32 of the push-button 30.

When the weapon 1 is placed in the pocket 11 of the holster 10, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, this weapon 1 is retained by the tongue 15 and the members 42 of the catch 41 which are engaged in a notch 1 d which is provided on the lower face below the barrel 1 c of the weapon 1. This weapon 1 is therefore blocked in this position.

In order to release the weapon 1 and withdraw it from the pocket 11, the operator proceeds as follows.

First of all, the operator releases the tongue 15 by pressing with the thumb on the lug 18 so that this tongue 15 pivots towards the front of the pocket 11 about the shaft 16 under the action of the resilient member 17, as illustrated with dot-dash lines in FIG. 1.

The operator then applies pressure downwards on the button 31 b of the push-button 30 which has the effect, via the ramp-like members 34 of the push-button 30 and the ramp-like members 44 of the catch 41, of moving this catch 41 so that the members 42 leave the notch 1 d, as illustrated in FIG. 5.

The operator can thus withdraw the weapon 1 from the pocket 11 of the holster 10 (FIG. 6).

As soon as the operator releases the push-button 30, the push-button 30 resumes its upper position under the action of the resilient member 35 thus releasing the catch 41 which returns to its initial position under the action of the resilient member 45.

When the weapon 1 is reintroduced into the pocket 11, the catch 41 retracts under the passage of the barrel 1 c of the weapon 1 in order to once again become blocked in the notch 1 d. Then, the operator replaces the tongue 15.

The holster according to the invention has the advantage, owing to the different elements which it comprises, of providing reliable retention of the weapon, whilst allowing this weapon to be readily withdrawn by the operator. 

1. Holster for a hand weapon, such as, for example, a pistol or a revolver, comprising a butt, a trigger guard and a barrel which is provided at the lower face thereof with a series of transverse notches for fixing an accessory, the holster comprising a pocket for accommodating the weapon, comprising: at the upper portion thereof, an opening for inserting the weapon, at least at one of the sides thereof, means for fixing to a receiving member carried by a user, and means for blocking the weapon in the pocket, wherein the means for blocking the weapon comprise a support element which comprises a housing for receiving the trigger guard of the weapon, provided with a locking member which can be moved by a push-button from the upper portion of the pocket perpendicularly relative to the lower face of the barrel between an active position in which it is engaged in a notch in order to immobilise the weapon and a retracted position which releases the weapon.
 2. Holster according to claim 1, wherein the pocket comprises, at the upper portion thereof, a tongue which can be moved between a first position located above the pocket in order to block the weapon and a second retracted position which releases this weapon.
 3. Holster according to claim 2, wherein, in the second position, the tongue is tilted towards the front of the pocket.
 4. Holster according to claim 2, wherein the tongue comprises a first end which is pivotably mounted on one side of the pocket and a second end which is provided with a member for snap-fitting to a lug fixed to the other side of the pocket.
 5. Holster according to claim 3, wherein the tongue is associated with a resilient member for returning the tongue to the second position.
 6. Holster according to claim 1, wherein the support element is formed by a body for fixing the pocket and is provided, at the upper portion thereof, with two vertical and parallel lugs which together provide the housing, the body and the lugs comprising means for guiding the push-button and the locking member.
 7. Holster according to claim 1, wherein the push-button can be moved in a direction which is substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the barrel of the weapon placed in the pocket and comprises, on the one hand, a first plate which extends parallel with the lugs of the support element and a second plate which extends perpendicularly relative to the lugs and which is provided, at the lower portion thereof, with means for moving the locking member.
 8. Holster according to claim 7, wherein the first plate comprises, at the upper portion thereof, a continuation which opens above the support element and which is provided with a button.
 9. Holster according to claim 7, wherein the push-button can be moved between an upper rest position which releases the locking member in the active position thereof and a lower active position which retains the locking member in the retracted position thereof.
 10. Holster according to claim 9, wherein the push-button is retained in the upper position thereof by means of a resilient member, such as, for example, a compression spring.
 11. Holster according to claim 1, wherein the locking member is formed by a catch which comprises, at a first end, at least one member which is intended to co-operate with a notch of the barrel of the weapon in the active position of the catch and, at a second end, movement means which complement the movement means carried by the push-button.
 12. Holster according to claim 7, wherein the means are formed by ramp-like members which have a complementary inclination and which are carried by the second plate of the push-button and the second end of the catch, respectively.
 13. Holster according to claim 1, wherein the locking member is returned to the active position thereof by means of a resilient member, such as, for example, a compression spring.
 14. Holster according to claim 6, wherein the guiding means are formed by grooves having a shape which complements the plates of the push-button and the catch. 